You are here

DPP to get file on cops’ shooting in La Horquette

Police have completed their investigations into the shooting death of Naim Dean by one of their own and intend to submit their file to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) soon for instructions.

In a telephone interview with the public information officer of the Police Service Supt Joanne Archie yesterday she said the investigation was over and the file was now being reviewed by senior officers.

In another police killing, Archie said the Professional Standards Bureau, a unit established to investigate police officers, was still investigating the shooting death of Joel Apparicio.
Dean, 21, was shot once in the back on April 11.

According to police reports, around 8 pm at La Horquette Road, Glencoe, officers of the Rapid Response Unit stopped a van in which Dean was a passenger and began searching him. The officer attempted to search his groin area when Dean slapped away his hand and ran.

The officer chased him and the two fought. During the scuffle Dean reportedly stabbed the officer who shot him once in the chest. However, Dean’s relatives claimed that report was made up and that Dean was shot while running away. An autopsy report confirmed the relatives’ claim. The report stated Dean was shot in the back and it pierced his lungs.

On May 22, Apparicio was killed in San Juan by a Special Reserve police officer, the official driver of an Assistant Commissioner of Police. Apparicio was shot while running along Real Street, San Juan, towards the nearby police station.

An autopsy at the Forensic Science Centre, St James, by pathologist Dr Hughvon des Vignes stated Apparicio was killed by a single bullet which entered the left side of his chest, perforating several vital organs, before exiting on the right side of his chest.

In a brief telephone interview with the T&T Guardian, Apparicio’s brother, Johnathon, said the family was angry by the run-around and delay in completing the probe. He said his mother intended to hold a peaceful march soon to highlight the slow pace of the investigation. A total of 37 people have been killed by police for the year and at least 19 of them are being monitored by the Police Complaints Authority.